Method for configuring an internet service provider

ABSTRACT

A method for configuring an Internet service provider includes assigning an identification server to the Internet service provider, transmitting a request from a user to a server, transmitting a response containing a program logic and a program sequence to the user, in which a terminal allows the program sequence to be initiated according to the program logic, and executing the program sequence after the initiation step, in which the program sequence prompts the terminal to transmit a configuration message to the configuration server. After arrival of the configuration message, the configuration server determines the identity assigned to the user. A configuration database of the Internet service provider is modified on the basis of the determined identity in such a way that the Internet service provider processes data relating to the user according to different criteria from then on.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a method and an arrangement for configuring thebehavior of an internet service provider during the communication of aterminal with the internet.

In particular, the invention relates to a method for configuring aninternet service provider, wherein

a) the internet service provider is assigned an identification server,

b) a request is communicated from the user to a server,

c) a response is communicated to the user, said response containing aprogram logic and also a program sequence,

d) the terminal, in accordance with the program logic, makes possiblethe initiation of the program sequence,

e) the program sequence is executed after the initiation in step d),wherein the program sequence causes the terminal to communicate aconfiguration message to the configuration server,

f) after this configuration message arrives, the configuration serverdetermines the identity assigned to the user, and

g) a configuration database of the internet service provider is modifiedon the basis of the ascertained identity in such a way that the internetservice provider from then on processes data relating to the useraccording to different criteria.

In methods for configuring the behavior of an internet service providerthat are known from the prior art it is often necessary for the user tovisit the site of the internet service provider. This is not preset inthis way in most web servers, however, and so certain users do notimplement advantageous releases and configurations in many cases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the invention, therefore, to be able to carry out aconfiguration of the behavior of internet service providers fromvirtually any servers if the relevant internet service provider permitssuch a configuration to be carried out.

A preferred object of the invention is a configuration in which, after auser's consent has been obtained, the processing of the data relating tosaid user is modified. The prior art discloses various applications thatrequire the users' explicit consent before certain services can beprovided. Most known methods for generating or for revoking such consentsatisfy the legal data protection requirements only to an insufficientextent. This problem is very pronounced in Europe, in particular, wherethe directives 94/46/EC and the General Data Protection Regulation 2018stipulate a strict set of regulations.

In this respect, it is a preferred object of the invention to make itpossible to obtain users' consents in an automated manner, in particularon third-party sites, and at the same time also to afford thepossibility of satisfying the strict legal requirements in respect oftransparency and voluntariness. This possibility can be made available,in principle, both to internet service providers and to third-partyproviders.

However, outside the field of data protection requiring comprehensibleconsents on the part of the user, there are also numerous furtherapplications for the remote configuration of an internet serviceprovider or of a further server, particularly in the fields of payment,billing, accounting of electronic supplementary services, electroniccontract modifications, user authentication, and security.

The invention achieves this object in the case of a method of the typementioned in the introduction by means of the following steps. In thiscase, provision is made for the following:

a) wherein the internet service provider makes available to the user anaccess to the internet via a network, wherein the internet serviceprovider is assigned an identification server, which, for a user, inparticular an access made available to the user and/or a terminalassigned to the user, keeps available data for identifying the identityof the user, wherein the configuration is carried out by means of thefollowing steps whereinb) a request is communicated from the user to a server,c) a response is communicated to the user, said response containing aprogram logic interpretable by the terminal of the user and also anexecutable program sequence,d) the terminal, upon receiving the response, in accordance with theprogram logic, makes possible the performance of a user interaction forcontrolling or suppressing the initiation of the program sequence,e) the program sequence contained in the program logic is executed afterthe initiation in step d), wherein the program sequence causes theterminal to communicate, if necessary indirectly, a configurationmessage to the configuration server of the internet service provider,f) after said configuration message has arrived, the configurationserver determines or ascertains the identity assigned to the user, andg) a configuration database of the internet service provider or of afurther server cooperating with the internet service provider ismodified on the basis of the ascertained identity in accordance with theprogram sequence in such a way that the internet service provider or thefurther server subsequently processes data relating to the useraccording to different criteria in accordance with the modifiedconfiguration database.

Particularly advantageously, with this procedure it is possible to carryout a configuration from any server on which a software package madeavailable by a third party or else by the internet service provider isinstalled.

The invention enables the assignment of an interaction of an end user toa customer database by the internet service provider for the purpose offuture automated behavior of servers. In particular, the intention is tocreate a technical sequence for a volitional act—in compliance with dataprotection and consumer protection laws—for the configuration of futuremodes of operation of servers.

Particularly advantageous configurations can be carried out by virtue ofthe fact that the configurations stored in the configuration databasefor the user in accordance with the latter's identity defines

-   -   how or according to what criteria further requests of the        relevant user are processed via the network of the internet        service provider, and/or    -   in what way notifications or bills are delivered to the user, in        particular in the form of letters or emails, and/or    -   whether data relating to the user are stored and/or are kept        available to a logging server for retrieval.

One advantageous implementation of a configuration database of theinternet service provider provides that during the modification of theconfiguration database in step g)

-   -   data sets having the identity of the user or terminal are        modified, erased or marked, or    -   a further feature is added to or linked with the identity of the        terminal or of the user that is kept available in the        configuration database.

One advantageous procedure for the user-controlled initiation of theconfiguration provides that in step d) the terminal, upon receiving theresponse, in accordance with the program logic, makes possible theperformance of a user interaction, in particular indicates an actuationfield, and

wherein in step e) the user interaction is performed, in particular theactuation field is actuated, and a program sequence contained in theprogram logic is thereupon executed, which causes the terminal tocommunicate, if necessary indirectly, the configuration message to theidentification server.

One simple variant of the invention, in which the address of theconfiguration server can be configured at the server, provides that

-   -   in step b) a request is communicated from the user to a server        via the network of the internet service provider,    -   that a check is made, in particular by the server, as to which        internet service provider is assigned the terminal sending the        request, and    -   that in step c), depending on the internet service provider, a        response containing a program logic executable on the terminal        is communicated to the terminal.

In order to achieve a configuration of a further server that isdifferent than the internet service provider, provision can be made forthe customer database to be assigned to a further server, which accessesthe customer database, wherein the further server subsequently processesdata relating to the user according to different criteria in accordancewith the modified configuration database.

In order to avoid a situation in which the server itself has todetermine the internet service provider on the basis of the user'srequest, it can be provided that in order to carry out step c)

-   -   a first response is communicated from the server to the terminal        of the user, wherein the first response contains a further        program logic, which causes the terminal to execute a further        request to a switching server,    -   the terminal, after receiving the first response, in accordance        with the further program logic, executes a further request to        the switching server,    -   when the further request arrives, the switching server, in        particular, checks via which internet service provider it was        contacted by the terminal, and    -   the switching server, in particular depending on the internet        service provider of the terminal, communicates the further        response to the terminal, wherein the response contains the        program logic executable on the terminal.

A simple determination of the internet service provider provides

-   -   that the internet service provider is determined on the basis of        the circumstance that an identifier of the terminal, in        particular the IP address, telephone number or SIM card number        thereof, is within a predefined range or satisfies predefined        criteria, or    -   that requests of the terminal, in particular to the web server        via the network of the internet service provider, in the context        of the communication via the network, are provided with an        identifier that indicates or is assigned to the internet service        provider, and that the internet service provider is determined        on the basis of this identifier.

In order to avoid a situation in which the terminal or the server has todetermine the internet service provider on the basis of the user'srequest, it can be provided that the user and/or the terminalcommunicate(s) the configuration message to a relay server, whichdetermines the address of the configuration server of the internetservice provider and which relays the configuration message to theconfiguration server, in particular on the basis of data determined inthe configuration message, or on the basis of the circumstance that aused identifier of the terminal in particular the IP address, telephonenumber or SIM card number thereof, is within a predefined range orsatisfies predefined criteria.

In order to achieve the effect that a configuration can be carried outeven if the terminal is connected to the internet via an alternativeinternet service provider, it can be provided that the user while he/sheis logged on by his/her terminal in the network of the internet serviceprovider and is connected by his/her terminal to the internet via saidnetwork,

-   -   steps b) to d) are carried out, but the program sequence for the        time being is not executed on the terminal, and    -   local identification data for identifying the user and, if        appropriate, the internet service provider are thereupon stored        on the terminal, and        if the user is connected by his/her terminal to the internet via        an alternative internet service provider,    -   steps b) to g) are carried out, wherein use is made of the local        identification data for identifying the user and, if        appropriate, the internet service provider.

For the same purpose it can be provided that

-   -   a configuration is carried out in accordance with steps b) to e)        with an alternative internet service provider, and        identification identifiers assigned to one another are thereupon        stored on the terminal and also on an assignment server,    -   steps b) to g) are subsequently carried out if the terminal is        connected to the internet via the network of the internet        service provider, wherein        -   in step d) the program logic causes the initiation of the            program sequence independently of a user interaction,        -   in step e) the program sequence is executed independently of            a user interaction, wherein a check is made to establish            whether an identification identifiers stored on the            assignment server is assigned to an identifier stored on the            terminal and only in this case is the configuration message            relayed to the configuration server of the internet service            provider.

Programs for carrying out a method according to the invention on theserver, the configuration server, the switching server or the relayserver can advantageously be stored on a data carrier.

The invention achieves the object in the case of an arrangement of thetype mentioned in the introduction by means of the following features.

In order to avoid a situation in which the server itself has todetermine the internet service provider on the basis of the user'srequest, it can be provided that the internet service provider enablesaccess to the internet for the user via a terminal, wherein the internetservice provider is assigned an identification server, which, for eachaccess of a user, in particular for each terminal assigned to a user,keeps available identity data,

i) wherein the internet service provider is designed to communicaterequests from the user to a server,

ii) wherein the server is designed, when a request arrives, tocommunicate a first response to the user, said first response containinga on a terminal of the user a further program logic and also anexecutable program sequence, which causes the terminal to execute afurther request to a switching server,

-   -   wherein the terminal is designed, after receiving the first        response, in accordance with the further program logic, to        execute a further request to the switching server,    -   wherein the switching server, in particular, is designed, when        the further request arrives, to check via which internet service        provider it was contacted by the terminal, and    -   wherein the switching server is designed, in particular        depending on the internet service provider of the terminal, to        communicate the further response to the terminal when the        response contains the program logic executable on the terminal,        iii) wherein the terminal is designed, upon receiving the        response, to make possible for the user, in accordance with the        program logic, the performance of a user interaction for        controlling or suppressing the initiation of the program        sequence,        iv) wherein the terminal is designed to execute the program        sequence contained in the program logic and to cause the        terminal to communicate, if necessary indirectly, a        configuration message to the configuration server of the        internet service provider,        v) the configuration server is designed, after this        configuration message has arrived, to determine the identity        assigned to the user, and        vi) the configuration server is designed to modify a        configuration database of the internet service provider, on the        basis of the ascertained identity in accordance with the program        sequence, in such a way that the internet service provider        subsequently processes data relating to the user according to        different criteria in accordance with the modified configuration        database.

Particularly advantageous configurations can be carried out by virtue ofthe fact that the configuration database defines for the user inaccordance with the latter's identity

-   -   how or according to what criteria the internet service provider        is intended to process further requests of the relevant user via        the network, and/or    -   in what way the internet service provider delivers notifications        or bills to the user, in particular in the form of letters or        emails, and/or    -   whether the internet service provider is intended to store data        relating to the user with reference to the ascertained identity        of the user or to keep said data available to a logging server        for retrieval.

One advantageous implementation of a configuration database of theinternet service provider provides for the configuration server to bedesigned, for the purpose of modifying the configuration database

-   -   to modify, to erase or to mark data sets having the identity of        the user or terminal, or    -   to add a further feature to or link a further feature with the        identity of the terminal or of the user that is kept available        in the configuration database.

One advantageous procedure for the user-controlled initiation of theconfiguration provides for the terminal to be designed,

-   -   upon receiving the response, in accordance with the program        logic, to make possible the performance of a user interaction,        in particular to indicate an actuation field, and, upon the        performance of a user interaction on the actuation field by the        user, to execute the program sequence contained in the program        logic, said program sequence causing the terminal to        communicate, if necessary indirectly, the configuration message        to the identification server.

One simple variant of the invention, in which the address of theconfiguration server can be configured at the server, provides for theterminal to be designed to communicate a request from the user to theserver via the network of the internet service provider,

-   -   wherein the server is designed to check which internet server        provider is assigned the terminal sending the request, and    -   wherein the server is designed, depending on the internet        service provider, to communicate to the terminal a response        containing a program logic executable on the terminal.

In order to achieve a configuration of a further server that isdifferent than the internet service provider, it can be provided thatthe customer database is assigned to a further server, which accessesthe customer database, wherein the further server is designed tosubsequently process data relating to the user according to differentcriteria in accordance with the modified configuration database.

In order to achieve the effect that a configuration can be carried outeven if the terminal is connected to the internet via an alternativeinternet service provider, provision can be made as follows:

i) comprising an assignment server designed

-   -   in the event of an assignment request, to output an identifier        to a terminal and to store an identifier assigned to said        identifier and    -   at a later point in time on account of a checking request, on        account of an identifier that has already been output being        communicated back, to ascertain whether an identifier        corresponding to said identifier is present having been stored        in the assignment server,        ii) wherein the terminal is designed, with an alternative        internet service provider, to carry out a configuration via the        server and subsequently to instigate a request to the assignment        server, by means of which the latter outputs an identifier to        the terminal,        iii) wherein the terminal is designed to store said identifier        as a local identifier,        iv) wherein the terminal is designed, if it is connected to the        internet via the network of the internet service provider at a        later point in time,    -   to check whether a local identifier is stored in said terminal,    -   if this is the case, to communicate to the assignment server a        checking request, which ascertains whether the terminal has        already effected an assignment request to the assignment server,        and    -   if this is the case as well, to instigate the program sequence        independently of a user interaction and to relay the        configuration message to the configuration server of the        internet service provider.

For the same purpose, it can be provided that the terminal is designedto store local identification data for identifying the user and, ifappropriate, the internet service provider if the user does notinstigate or refuses the execution of the program sequence,

-   -   wherein the terminal is designed to contact the server by means        of an alternative internet service provider using the local        identification data, and    -   wherein the server, the connection server and/or the relay        server or are/is designed to identify the identity underlying        the configuration on the basis of the local identification data.

A simple determination of the internet service provider provides thatthe server, the connection server or the terminal is designed todetermine the internet service provider on the basis of the circumstancethat an identifier of the terminal, in particular the IP address,telephone number or SIM card number thereof, is within a predefinedrange or satisfies predefined criteria, or that the server or theconnection server is designed to determine requests of the terminal, inparticular to the web server, which, in the context of the communicationby the network, have been provided with an identifier that indicates oris assigned to the internet service provider, on the basis of saididentifier.

In order to avoid the situation in which the terminal or the server hasto determine the internet service provider on the basis of the user'srequest, it can be provided that a relay server is provided, which isdesigned

-   -   to receive configuration messages from users or terminals,    -   to determine the relevant configuration server on the basis of        the configuration message, in particular        -   on the basis of data determined in the configuration            message, or        -   on the basis of the circumstance that a used identifier of            the terminal, in particular the IP address, telephone number            or SIM card number thereof, is within a predefined range or            satisfies predefined criteria,    -   and to relay the configuration messages received from the user        and/or from the terminal to the to the configuration server.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

Some particular embodiments of the invention are illustrated in greaterdetail in the figures of the drawing.

FIG. 1 shows the typical function of the communication of terminals witha web server via an internet service provider.

FIG. 2 shows a first embodiment of the invention, by means of which aconfiguration of the behaviour of the internet service provider iscarried out.

FIG. 3 shows an alternative second embodiment of the invention, whereinthe concrete configuration is carried out by means of a further server.

FIG. 4 shows an arrangement that can be used to implement additionalfunctions concerning the procedure according to the invention, whereinthe terminal of the user can in some instances also be connected to theinternet via an alternative internet service provider.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a user 1 who is connected to the internet 2 via amobile terminal 11 assigned to him/her, in particular a cellular phone.An internet service provider 3 mediates the access to the internet 2 forthe user 1. Said internet service provider has a network 33, a mobileradio network in the present exemplary embodiment, wherein a separateaccess 12 to the internet service provider 3 via the mobile radionetwork 33 is set up for the cellular phone 11 assigned to the user 1.The internet service provider 3 is connected to the internet 2 in termsof data and in this way enables communication connections to beestablished between the terminal 11 of the user 1 and servers 21-25 orcomputers connected to the internet 2.

The internet service provider 3 furthermore has a configuration server31, which manages individual identities ID or identity data assigned tothe users 1, 1 a. The configuration server 31 is connected to aconfiguration database 32 in terms of data, which configuration databasestores configuration settings for each individual user 1 of the internetservice provider 3 depending on the latter's contractual conditions andon modifications that will be explained later. The individualconfiguration data stored in the configuration database 32 can bemodified separately for each user 1, wherein, for identifying theconfiguration data of individual users 1, the identity ID of the user 1is indicated by identity data.

As a result of the configuration stored in the configuration database32, it is possible for different items of configuration information tobe stored and for settings to be changed in this way:

-   -   For each user 1 it is possible to store separately how requests        of the relevant user 1 are processed via the network 33 of the        internet service provider 3. In this context, individual        requests can be relayed via different communication channels or        the data rate can be set.    -   Furthermore, in the configuration data it is possible to store        in what way notifications or bills are delivered to the user 1,        in particular in the form of letters or emails. In this regard,        there is the possibility, for example, for the internet service        provider 3 to have two separate delivery services, namely        firstly an email delivery service in the form of an outgoing        email server, which delivers invoices to the users via email;        secondly, notifications or invoices on the part of the internet        service provider can also be delivered via automated postal        dispatch to those users 1 who have chosen this type of delivery.        Moreover, automotive delivery options also exist, which can        likewise be chosen separately by each user 1, wherein the        selection of the type of delivery can be stored in the        configuration database.    -   Furthermore, there is also the possibility of defining, on the        basis of various data use declarations and data use releases,        whether data relating to the user 1 will be stored from then on        and/or that such data of the user 1 are kept available to a        logging server 25 for retrieval.

The configuration database 32 can be realized in various ways. There isthe possibility of the configuration database 32 containing a series ofdata sets, wherein each data set is respectively assigned to an identityID of a user 1 or of a terminal 11. Furthermore, there is also thepossibility, of course, of further tables being provided in theconfiguration database 32 and additional entries being stored in tables,which are linked with the identity ID of the terminal 11 or of the user1.

In many applications, the configuration database 32 is assigned to theinternet service provider 3. Such an assignment is not mandatory,however; rather, the configuration database 32 of a further server 26(FIG. 3) can also be modified by the method according to the invention.For this purpose, the further server 26 allows the configuration server31 to have the requisite data access to the relevant configurationdatabase 32. After the modification of the configuration database 32,the behavior of the further server 26 changes in relation to therelevant user 1, wherein the configuration information mentioned abovecan also be implemented by the further server 26 depending on the typeof service offered by the further server 26.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a first embodiment of an arrangementaccording to the invention or respectively of a method according to theinvention for configuring the behavior of an internet service provider3, wherein, in particular, the concrete sequence of the successivelyperformed transmissions or respectively interactions between theindividual communication partners is illustrated in greater detail.

In a step b), the user 1 or the latter's terminal 11 communicates arequest R to a server 21. This can be carried out via the network 33 forinstance via the internet access made available by the internet serviceprovider 3.

In a step c), the server 21 communicates a response S to the user 1.Said response S comprises a program logic L executable or interpretableon a terminal 11 of the user 1, and a program sequence P executable onthe terminal 11. In the present exemplary embodiment, the program logicL is an HTML or XML code, for example, which contains firstly a text,which makes the user 1 aware of the specific circumstances of theconfiguration, and secondly an actuation field, for example button,which is assigned a function implemented in JavaScript as programsequence P, which is initiated when the button is pressed. A web browseris preferably implemented in the terminal 11 for the purpose ofinterpreting said program logic L, said web browser being able toindicate the HTML code and ascertain whether the actuation field wasactuated by the user 1. If this is the case, the relevant programsequence P assigned to the program logic L is executed by the webbrowser.

If the terminal 11 then receives a response S, it makes a correspondingindication available to the user 1 in accordance with the program logicL in a step d), wherein an actuation field in the form of a button thatcan be pressed or actuated by the user 1 is also represented. If theuser 1 presses on the actuation field, then the relevant programsequence P for changing the configuration is initiated and executed onthe terminal 11.

Alternatively, however, it is also possible for the user interaction toconsist in the fact that the user 1 continues to use a web page offeredby the server 21 or clicks on links from said web page or activates,uses or deactivates parts of the web page.

Furthermore, it is also possible to use any action that is otherwiseascertainable by the terminal 11, for example mechanical movement,movement to a location on the Earth's surface, acoustically perceptiblesignals, etc., as user interaction.

As an alternative to the concrete representation of a button, in thethird step d) for initiating the program sequence P, provision can alsobe made for an actuation field to be made available, by means of whichthe initiation of the program sequence P is prevented or stopped. Inthis case, the program logic L can additionally contain a timer, whereinthe program sequence P is initiated if the user 1 or the latter'sterminal 11 does not bring about revocation by actuating the buttonwithin a predefined time period after receiving the response S. For thispurpose, the response S contains a program logic L that makes possiblethe performance of a user interaction in order to prevent the initiationof the program sequence P. In this alternative, too, the terminal 11,upon receiving the response S, in accordance with the program logic L,makes possible the performance of a user interaction in order to controlthe initiation of the program sequence P makes possible.

Instead of visual actuation fields which are indicated on a display andwhich can be actuated by tapping, clicking or pressing of keys, anactuation can also be ascertained acoustically by means of a microphoneor optically by means of a camera.

In a step e), on account of an act of operational control or theomission of such an act by the user 1, the program sequence P containedin the program logic L is executed. In executing this program sequenceP, the terminal 1 communicates a configuration message K, which forconfiguration to the configuration server 31 of the internet serviceprovider 3. The communication can be effected from the terminal 11directly to the configuration server 31, although it should be takeninto consideration that in this case the terminal 11 must have knowledgeabout the address, in particular the IP address, at which theconfiguration server 31 is to be addressed.

For this purpose, the address of the configuration server 31 can eitherbe stored directly in the mobile terminal 11 or else be transmitted fromthe server 21 to the mobile terminal 11. In this case, the server 21identifies the internet service provider 3 of the mobile terminal 11itself, for example on the basis of the IP address, telephone number orSIM card number of the mobile terminal 11 or on the basis of specificheader data contained in the request R and in its response S sends tothe user 1 or the mobile terminal 11 a program sequence P which isspecifically adapted to the internet service provider 3 and which isable, in particular, to identify and to address the configuration server31 of the internet service provider 3.

But in the case of the first embodiment and in the case of the secondembodiment yet to be explained (FIG. 3) of the invention, there is thepossibility of the mobile terminal 11 having knowledge of the address ofthe configuration server 31 and transmitting the configuration message Kdirectly to the configuration server 31.

As an alternative thereto, in both embodiments, there is also thepossibility of the terminal 11 not having knowledge of the currentaddress of the configuration server 31, but rather communicating theconfiguration message K to the configuration server 31 by means of theswitching of a relay server 24. In this respect, there is also thepossibility that, in the case of the communication sequences illustratedin FIGS. 2 and 3, neither the server 21 nor the switching server 22 northe terminal 11 need to have knowledge of the address of theconfiguration server 31 of the internet service provider 3. Rather, theterminal 11 or the user 1 sends the configuration message K to a relayserver 24. Just said relay server 24 identifies the association of theterminal 11 of the user 1 with an internet service provider 3 and relaysthe configuration message K to the configuration server 31 of thatinternet service provider 3 via which the mobile terminal 11 or the user1 has access to the internet 2. The relay server 24 can determine theinternet service provider 3 once again on the basis of the IP address,telephone number or SIM card number of the mobile terminal 11 or on thebasis of header data which it receives in the configuration message K ofthe terminal 11.

After this configuration message K has arrived, the configuration server31 determines the identity ID assigned to the user 1 in a step f). Thisis carried out either on the basis of the configuration message K, theIP address, telephone number or SIM card number allocated to the user 1,or on the basis of header data in the data sent by the terminal 11, oron the basis of connection data available to the internet serviceprovider 3 on the basis of the circumstance that the terminal 11 isconnected to and communicates with the network 33 of the internetservice provider 3.

In a configuration step g), the configuration database (32) of theinternet service provider (3), on the basis of the ascertained identity(ID), in accordance with the program sequence (P) is modified in such away that the internet service provider (3) subsequently processes datarelating to the user (1) according to different criteria in accordancewith the modified configuration database (32). The concreteconfigurations which are carried out in this context have already beenexplained in the introduction, and so at this juncture reference shouldbe made to the configurations mentioned above.

In the second embodiment of the invention as illustrated in FIG. 3, whatis achieved is that the server 21 need not have knowledge of the addressof the configuration server 31 in step c). This has the advantage, inparticular, that a multiplicity of servers 21 can be used, none of whichneeds to know the address of the configuration server 31, as a result ofwhich a change in the address of the configuration server 31 does notnecessitate changes at the servers 21.

The user 1 or the terminal 11 communicates a request R to the server 21.The server 21 communicates a first response U to the terminal 11 of theuser 1. Said first response U contains a further program logic M, which,if it is executed on the terminal 11, causes said terminal 11 to executea further request T to a switching server 22. The further program logicL, as also in the case of the first embodiment, can be an HTML or XMLcode that is assigned a JavaScript executable on the terminal 11 asprogram sequence P.

After receiving said first response U, the terminal 11, in accordancewith the program logic L or the program sequence P contained in theprogram logic L, carries out a further request T, which is communicatedto the switching server 22. The switching server 22 is able to identifyvia which internet service provider 3 it was contacted by the terminal11. This identification can be carried out analogously to the previousexemplary embodiment, for example on the basis of the IP address,telephone number or SIM card number of the terminal 11 or on the basisof header data contained in the further request T of the mobile terminal11 at the second server 22.

Depending on the internet service provider 3 of the terminal 11, theswitching server 22 sends the further response S to the terminal 11. Theresponse S contains a program logic L interpretable by the terminal 11.As also in the first exemplary embodiment, the program logic L containsan executable program sequence P, wherein the terminal 11, uponreceiving the response S, in accordance with the program logic L, makespossible the performance of a user interaction for controlling theinitiation of the program sequence P. As also in the case of the firstembodiment of the invention, this can be carried out by the user 1effecting an actuation of an actuation field that either initiates orprevents the execution of the program sequence P.

The configuration message K further contains an identity ID which isassigned to the user 1 or to the mobile terminal 11 and which can beused to carry out a configuration at the configuration database 32 withrespect to the user 1 or the terminal 11. The configuration action thatis to be specifically carried out with respect to the identity can bepredefined at various points and is at least implicitly contained in theconfiguration message K.

One particularly preferred development of the invention provides for therequest R communicated from the server 21 to the terminal 11 of the user1 to contain a program logic L that is interpreted by the mobileterminal 11 to the effect that it indicates a data use declaration tothe user 1. Furthermore, the program logic L contains an actuationfield, by means of which the user 1 confirms on the mobile terminal 11that he/she grants a data use release. Upon execution of the programsequence P after actuation of the actuation field by the user 1, aconfiguration message K in this regard is created, which contains boththe circumstance of the data use release, at least implicitly, and anidentifier identifying the terminal 11 and/or the user 1. If theconfiguration message K arrives at the configuration server 31, then thelatter modifies the configuration database 32 and preferably includes itin the respective user data set with the identity ID of the user 1.Subsequently, the internet service provider 3 stores data relating tothe user 1, for example location data, use data and similar data withreference to the user 1. The internet service provider 3 keeps therelevant data available for the logging server 25 for retrieval.

FIG. 4 illustrates an arrangement comprising a terminal 11 and twodifferent internet service providers 3, 4, on the basis of which twoadditional functions —also usable in combination—are illustrated ingreater detail. These additional functions make it possible, in variousscenarios, to carry out a configuration action by means of the terminal11 of the user 1 even if the latter is connected to the internet 2 viaan alternative internet service provider 4 at times. The additionalfunctions illustrated here are combinable with all embodiments of theinvention as illustrated above.

Such a connection to an alternative internet service provider 4 can beestablished, for example, if a mobile terminal 11 is not connected tothe internet 2 via the network 33 of the mobile radio operator 3 butrather via a WLAN of an alternative internet service provider 4.

In the first application, the user 1 firstly logged on using a terminal11 in the network 33 of the internet service provider 3 and is connectedto the internet 2 via said network 33 using the terminal 11. The user 1communicates a request R to the server 21 and receives a responsecontaining a program logic L interpretable on the terminal 11 of theuser 1 and also an executable program sequence R. The terminal 11, uponreceiving the response S, in accordance with the program logic L, makespossible the performance of a user interaction for controlling theinitiation of the program sequence P. Unlike in the previous exemplaryembodiments, however, the user 1 does not initiate the program sequenceR. The terminal 11 thereupon locally stores local identification datafor identifying the user 1.

Without consent or upon refusal by the user 1, however, no configurationdata at all are changed in the configuration database 32, nor is anyconfiguration message K sent to the configuration server 31. The storageof the local identification data for identifying the user 1 and, ifappropriate, the internet service provider 3 ensures that a laterconfiguration proceeding from the terminal 11 is possible even if theterminal 11 is connected to the internet 2 in an alternative way.

If the terminal 11 or the user 1 then logs on via an alternativeinternet service provider 4, for example via a WLAN hotspot, all ofsteps b) to g) of the previous embodiments can be carried out even ifthe user 1 or the latter's terminal 11 is not connected to the internet2 via the network 33 of the internet service provider 3, rather the user1 chooses an alternative internet service provider 4. During theidentification of the user 1 and of the internet service provider 3,instead of the identification data that are determinable in the contextof the connection, use is made of the local identification data storedin the terminal 11 for identifying the user 1 and also the internetservice provider 3. The configuration can thus also be carried out onthe basis of the stored identification data, without switching by meansof the internet service provider 3 being required for the communicationof the configuration message K.

The second additional function of the arrangement provides for theconfiguration action to be carried out by the terminal 11 while thelatter is connected to the internet 2 via an alternative internetservice provider 4. After the initiation of the program sequence P,however, in this application, the internet service provider 3 cannot beascertained for the relevant terminal 11. For this reason,identification identifiers assigned to one another are stored on theterminal 11 and also on an assignment server 23 in order, for the casewhere the terminal 11, if it via the network 33 of the internet serviceprovider 3, makes contact once again with the server 21, to enable anidentification of the internet service provider 3 of the terminal 11 andaccordingly to be able to carry out the configuration.

If the terminal 11 is subsequently connected to the internet 2 via thenetwork 33 of the internet service provider 3, then a configurationaction of the user 1 is already present, which need not be carried outagain. The program logic L causes the immediate initiation of theprogram sequence P independently of a user interaction.

In order to ascertain that a user interaction was actually presentduring a previous connection, a check is made to establish whether anidentification identifier stored on the assignment server 23 is assignedto an identification identifier stored on the terminal 11. The terminal11 sends a configuration message K to the configuration server 31 of theinternet service provider 3 only if identification identifiers assignedto one another are present in the terminal 11 and in the assignmentserver 23.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the ascertainment of the internetservice provider 3 or the configuration server to which theconfiguration message K is intended to be relayed can also be carriedout by a relay server 24 present, if necessary.

REFERENCE SIGNS

-   1. user-   11. terminal-   12. access-   2. internet-   21. server-   22. switching server-   23. assignment server-   24. relay server-   25. logging server-   26. further server-   3. internet service provider-   31. configuration server-   32. configuration database-   33. network-   4. alternative internet service provider-   ID. Identity-   K. configuration message-   L. program logic-   M. further program logic-   P. program sequence-   R. request-   S. response-   T. further request-   U. first response

The invention claimed is:
 1. A method for configuring an internet service provider or a further server, the method comprising the following steps: a) using the internet service provider to make an access to the internet available to a user over a network by assigning to the internet service provider an identification server keeping data available for identifying an identity of the user for an access made available to at least one of the user or a terminal assigned to the user; b) communicating a request from the user to a server; c) communicating a response to the user, the response containing a program logic interpretable by the terminal of the user as well as an executable program sequence; d) using the terminal, upon receiving the response, in accordance with the program logic, to make possible a performance of a user interaction for controlling or suppressing an initiation of the program sequence; e) executing the program sequence contained in the program logic after the initiation in step d), and using the program sequence to cause the terminal to communicate, if necessary indirectly, a configuration message to the configuration server of the internet service provider; f) after arrival of the configuration message, using the configuration server to determine or ascertain the identity assigned to the user; g) modifying a configuration database of the internet service provider or of a further server cooperating with the internet service provider based on the ascertained identity in accordance with the program sequence to cause the internet service provider or the further server to subsequently process data relating to the user according to different criteria in accordance with the modified configuration database; the user while being logged on the user's terminal in the network of the internet service provider and connected by the user's terminal to the internet over the network: carries out steps b) to d), but the program sequence for the time being is not executed on the terminal, and thereupon uses the terminal to store local identification data for identifying the user and, if appropriate, the internet service provider; and if the user is connected by the user's terminal to the internet over an alternative internet service provider: carries out steps b) to g) by using the local identification data for identifying the user and, if appropriate, the internet service provider.
 2. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises using the configuration stored in the configuration database for the user in accordance with the user's identity to define at least one of: how or according to what criteria further requests of a relevant user are processed over the network of the internet service provider, or in what way or as letters or emails notifications or bills are delivered to the user, or whether data relating to the user are at least one of stored or are kept available to a logging server for retrieval.
 3. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises, during the modification of the configuration database in step g): modifying, erasing or marking data sets having the identity of the user or terminal, or adding a further feature to or linking a further feature with the identity of the terminal or of the user being kept available in the configuration database.
 4. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises: in step d) using the terminal, upon receiving the response, in accordance with the program logic, to make possible a performance of a user interaction or to indicate an actuation field, and in step e) performing the user interaction or actuating the actuation field, and thereupon executing a program sequence contained in the program logic causing the terminal to communicate, if necessary indirectly, the configuration message to the identification server.
 5. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises: in step b) communicating the request from the user to a server over the network of the internet service provider, carrying out a check, optionally by the server, as to which internet service provider is assigned the terminal sending the request, and in step c), depending on the internet service provider, communicating a response containing a program logic executable on the terminal to the terminal.
 6. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises assigning a customer database to a further server accessing the customer database, and using the further server to subsequently process data relating to the user according to different criteria in accordance with the modified configuration database.
 7. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises carrying out step c) by: communicating a first response from the server to the terminal of the user, the first response containing a further program logic causing the terminal to execute a further request to a switching server, using the terminal, after receiving the first response, in accordance with the further program logic, to execute a further request to the switching server, when the further request arrives, using the switching server to check over which internet service provider it was contacted by the terminal, and using the switching server, optionally depending on the internet service provider of the terminal, to communicate the further response to the terminal, the response containing the program logic executable on the terminal.
 8. The method according to claim 1, which further comprises: determining the internet service provider based on a circumstance that an identifier of the terminal, or an IP address, telephone number or SIM card number thereof, is within a predefined range or satisfies predefined criteria, or providing requests of the terminal, or to the web server over the network of the internet service provider, in a context of communication over the network, with an identifier indicating or being assigned to the internet service provider, and determining the internet service provider based on the identifier.
 9. The method according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the user or the terminal communicates the configuration message to a relay server determining the address of the configuration server of the internet service provider and relaying the configuration message to the configuration server: based on data determined in the configuration message, or based on a circumstance that a used identifier of the terminal, or the IP address, telephone number or SIM card number thereof, is within a predefined range or satisfies predefined criteria.
 10. A method for configuring an internet service provider or a further server, the method comprising the following steps: a) using the internet service provider to make an access to the internet available to a user over a network by assigning to the internet service provider an identification server keeping data available for identifying an identity of the user for an access made available to at least one of the user or a terminal assigned to the user; b) communicating a request from the user to a server; c) communicating a response to the user, the response containing a program logic interpretable by the terminal of the user as well as an executable program sequence; d) using the terminal, upon receiving the response, in accordance with the program logic, to make possible a performance of a user interaction for controlling or suppressing an initiation of the program sequence; e) executing the program sequence contained in the program logic after the initiation in step d), and using the program sequence to cause the terminal to communicate, if necessary indirectly, a configuration message to the configuration server of the internet service provider; f) after arrival of the configuration message, using the configuration server to determine or ascertain the identity assigned to the user; g) modifying a configuration database of the internet service provider or of a further server cooperating with the internet service provider based on the ascertained identity in accordance with the program sequence to cause the internet service provider or the further server to subsequently process data relating to the user according to different criteria in accordance with the modified configuration database: carrying out a configuration in accordance with steps b) to e) with an alternative internet service provider, and thereupon storing identification identifiers assigned to one another on the terminal as well as on an assignment server, subsequently carrying out steps b) to g) if the terminal is connected to the internet over the network of the internet service provider, in step d) using the program logic to cause an initiation of the program sequence independently of a user interaction, and in step e) executing the program sequence independently of a user interaction, and checking to establish whether an identification identifier stored on the assignment server is assigned to an identifier stored on the terminal and only then relaying the configuration message to the configuration server of the internet service provider.
 11. A non-transitory computer-readable medium with instructions stored thereon that when executed by a server, a switching server, an assignment server, a relay server or a logging server performs the steps according to claim
 1. 12. An arrangement for configuring the behavior of an internet service provider or a further server during or not during communication of a user with the internet, the arrangement comprising: a terminal and an internet service provider enabling access to the internet for the user through said terminal, said internet service provider being assigned an identification server keeping identity data available for each access of a user or for each terminal assigned to a user; i) a server receiving requests communicated by said internet service provider from the user; ii) said server being configured, upon arrival of a request, to communicate a response to the user, said response containing a program logic executable on said terminal of the user as well as an executable program sequence; iii) said terminal being configured, upon receiving said response, to permit a performance of a user interaction for the user for controlling or suppressing an initiation of said program sequence in accordance with said program logic; iv) said terminal being configured to execute said program sequence contained in said program logic and to cause said terminal to communicate, if necessary indirectly, a configuration message to said configuration server of said internet service provider; v) said configuration server being configured, after arrival of said configuration message, to determine an identity assigned to the user; vi) said internet service provider having a configuration database, said configuration server being configured to modify said configuration database or the further server based on said ascertained identity in accordance with said program sequence, to cause said internet service provider or the further server to subsequently process data relating to the user according to different criteria in accordance with said modified configuration database; and i) an assignment server configured: to output said identifier to said terminal and to store said identifier assigned to said identifier in an event of an assignment request, and to ascertain a presence of an identifier corresponding to said identifier having been stored in said assignment server at a later point in time due to a checking request and due to an identifier having already been output being communicated back, ii) said terminal being configured, with an alternative internet service provider, to carry out a configuration through said server and to subsequently instigate a request to said assignment server being used by said assignment server to output said identifier to said terminal, iii) said terminal being configured to store said identifier as a local identifier, iv) said terminal being configured, when connected to the internet over said network of said internet service provider at a later point in time: to check whether a local identifier is stored in said terminal, if said local identifier is stored in said terminal, to communicate to said assignment server a checking request ascertaining whether said terminal has already effected an assignment request to said assignment server, and if said local identifier is stored in said terminal, to instigate said program sequence independently of a user interaction and to relay said configuration message to said configuration server of said internet service provider.
 13. The arrangement according to claim 12, wherein said configuration database defines for the user in accordance with the user's identity at least one of: how or according to what criteria said internet service provider is intended to process further requests of a relevant user over said network, or in what way said internet service provider delivers notifications or letters or emails or bills to the user, or whether said internet service provider is intended to store data relating to the user with reference to said ascertained identity of the user or to keep said data available to a logging server for retrieval.
 14. The arrangement according to claim 12, wherein said configuration server is configured, for modifying said configuration database: to modify, to erase or to mark data sets having said identity of the user or said terminal, or to add a further feature to or link a further feature with said identity of said terminal or of the user being kept available in said configuration database.
 15. The arrangement according to claim 12, wherein said terminal is configured, upon receiving said response, in accordance with said program logic, to permit a performance of a user interaction or to indicate an actuation field and, upon said performance of said user interaction on said actuation field by the user, to execute said program sequence contained in said program logic, said program sequence causing said terminal to communicate, if necessary indirectly, said configuration message to said identification server.
 16. The arrangement according to claim 12, wherein said terminal is configured to communicate the request from the user to said server over said network of said internet service provider, said server is configured to check which internet server provider is assigned said terminal sending said request, and said server is configured, depending on said internet service provider, to communicate to said terminal said response containing said program logic executable on said terminal.
 17. The arrangement according to claim 12, wherein said customer database is assigned to a further server accessing said customer database, said further server being configured to subsequently process data relating to the user according to different criteria in accordance with said modified configuration database.
 18. The arrangement according to claim 12, wherein: said server, said connection server or said terminal is configured to determine said internet service provider based on a circumstance of said identifier of said terminal or an IP address, telephone number or SIM card number thereof being within a predefined range or satisfying predefined criteria, or said server or said connection server is configured to determine requests of said terminal or said web server having been provided with an identifier indicating or being assigned to said internet service provider based on said identifier in a context of a communication by said network.
 19. The arrangement according to claim 12, which further comprises a relay server configured: to receive said configuration messages from users or said terminals, to determine said relevant configuration server based on said configuration message, based on data determined in said configuration message, or based on a circumstance of a used identifier of said terminal or an IP address, telephone number or SIM card number thereof being within a predefined range or satisfying predefined criteria, and to relay said configuration messages received from at least one of the user or said terminal to said configuration server.
 20. An arrangement for configuring the behavior of an internet service provider or a further server during or not during communication of a user with the internet, the arrangement comprising: a terminal and an internet service provider enabling access to the internet for the user through said terminal, said internet service provider being assigned an identification server keeping identity data available for each access of a user or for each terminal assigned to a user; i) a server receiving requests communicated by said internet service provider from the user; ii) said server being configured, upon arrival of a request, to communicate a response to the user, said response containing a program logic executable on said terminal of the user as well as an executable program sequence; iii) said terminal being configured, upon receiving said response, to permit a performance of a user interaction for the user for controlling or suppressing an initiation of said program sequence in accordance with said program logic; iv) said terminal being configured to execute said program sequence contained in said program logic and to cause said terminal to communicate, if necessary indirectly, a configuration message to said configuration server of said internet service provider; v) said configuration server being configured, after arrival of said configuration message, to determine an identity assigned to the user; vi) said internet service provider having a configuration database, said configuration server being configured to modify said configuration database or the further server based on said ascertained identity in accordance with said program sequence, to cause said internet service provider or the further server to subsequently process data relating to the user according to different criteria in accordance with said modified configuration database; said terminal being configured to store local identification data for identifying the user and, if appropriate, to store said internet service provider if the user does not instigate or refuses an execution of said program sequence, said terminal being configured to contact said server by using an alternative internet service provider using said local identification data, and at least one of said server, said connection server or said relay server being configured to identify said identity underlying the configuration based on said local identification data.
 21. An arrangement for configuring the behavior of an internet service provider or a further server during or not during communication of a user with the internet, the arrangement comprising: a terminal and an internet service provider enabling access to the internet for the user through said terminal, said internet service provider being assigned an identification server keeping identity data available for each access of a user or for each terminal assigned to a user; i) a server receiving requests communicated by said internet service provider from the user; ii) a switching server, said server being configured, upon arrival of a request, to communicate a first response to the user, said first response containing a further program logic on said terminal of the user as well as an executable program sequence causing said terminal to execute a further request to said switching server; said terminal being configured, after receiving said first response, to execute said further request to said switching server in accordance with said further program logic; said switching server being optionally configured, upon arrival of said further request, to check through which internet service provider said switching server was contacted by said terminal; said switching server being configured, optionally depending on said internet service provider of said terminal, to communicate said further response to said terminal when said response contains said program logic executable on said terminal; iii) said terminal being configured, upon receiving said response, to permit the user, in accordance with said program logic, to perform a user interaction for controlling or suppressing an initiation of said program sequence; iv) said terminal being configured to execute said program sequence contained in said program logic and to cause said terminal to communicate, if necessary indirectly, a configuration message to said configuration server of said internet service provider; v) said configuration server being configured, after arrival of said configuration message, to determine an identity assigned to the user; vi) said internet service provider having a configuration database, said configuration server being configured to modify said configuration database based on an ascertained identity in accordance with said program sequence, to cause said internet service provider to subsequently process data relating to the user according to different criteria in accordance with said modified configuration database: and i) an assignment server configured: to output said identifier to said terminal and to store said identifier assigned to said identifier in an event of an assignment request, and to ascertain a presence of an identifier corresponding to said identifier having been stored in said assignment server at a later point in time due to a checking request and due to an identifier having already been output being communicated back, ii) said terminal being configured, with an alternative internet service provider, to carry out a configuration through said server and to subsequently instigate a request to said assignment server being used by said assignment server to output said identifier to said terminal, iii) said terminal being configured to store said identifier as a local identifier, iv) said terminal being configured, when connected to the internet over said network of said internet service provider at a later point in time: to check whether a local identifier is stored in said terminal, if said local identifier is stored in said terminal, to communicate to said assignment server a checking request ascertaining whether said terminal has already effected an assignment request to said assignment server, and if said local identifier is stored in said terminal, to instigate said program sequence independently of a user interaction and to relay said configuration message to said configuration server of said internet service provider.
 22. The arrangement according to claim 21, wherein said configuration database defines for the user in accordance with the user's identity at least one of: how or according to what criteria said internet service provider is intended to process further requests of a relevant user over said network, or in what way said internet service provider delivers notifications or letters or emails or bills to the user, or whether said internet service provider is intended to store data relating to the user with reference to said ascertained identity of the user or to keep said data available to a logging server for retrieval.
 23. The arrangement according to claim 21, wherein said configuration server is configured, for modifying said configuration database: to modify, to erase or to mark data sets having said identity of the user or said terminal, or to add a further feature to or link a further feature with said identity of said terminal or of the user being kept available in said configuration database.
 24. The arrangement according to claim 21, wherein said terminal is configured, upon receiving said response, in accordance with said program logic, to permit a performance of a user interaction or to indicate an actuation field and, upon said performance of said user interaction on said actuation field by the user, to execute said program sequence contained in said program logic, said program sequence causing said terminal to communicate, if necessary indirectly, said configuration message to said identification server.
 25. The arrangement according to claim 21, wherein said terminal is configured to communicate the request from the user said server over said network of said internet service provider, said server is configured to check which internet server provider is assigned said terminal sending said request, and said server is configured, depending on said internet service provider, to communicate to said terminal said response containing said program logic executable on said terminal.
 26. The arrangement according to claim 21, wherein said customer database is assigned to a further server accessing said customer database, said further server being configured to subsequently process data relating to the user according to different criteria in accordance with said modified configuration database.
 27. The arrangement according to claim 21, wherein: said server, said connection server or said terminal is configured to determine said internet service provider based on a circumstance of said identifier of said terminal or an IP address, telephone number or SIM card number thereof being within a predefined range or satisfying predefined criteria, or said server or said connection server is configured to determine requests of said terminal or said web server having been provided with an identifier indicating or being assigned to said internet service provider based on said identifier in a context of a communication by said network.
 28. The arrangement according to claim 21, which further comprises a relay server configured: to receive said configuration messages from users or said terminals, to determine said relevant configuration server based on said configuration message, based on data determined in said configuration message, or based on a circumstance of a used identifier of said terminal or an IP address, telephone number or SIM card number thereof being within a predefined range or satisfying predefined criteria, and to relay said configuration messages received from at least one of the user or said terminal to said configuration server.
 29. An arrangement for configuring the behavior of an internet service provider or a further server during or not during communication of a user with the internet, the arrangement comprising: a terminal and an internet service provider enabling access to the internet for the user through said terminal, said internet service provider being assigned an identification server keeping identity data available for each access of a user or for each terminal assigned to a user; i) a server receiving requests communicated by said internet service provider from the user; ii) a switching server, said server being configured, upon arrival of a request, to communicate a first response to the user, said first response containing a further program logic on said terminal of the user as well as an executable program sequence causing said terminal to execute a further request to said switching server; said terminal being configured, after receiving said first response, to execute said further request to said switching server in accordance with said further program logic; said switching server being optionally configured, upon arrival of said further request, to check through which internet service provider said switching server was contacted by said terminal; said switching server being configured, optionally depending on said internet service provider of said terminal, to communicate said further response to said terminal when said response contains said program logic executable on said terminal; iii) said terminal being configured, upon receiving said response, to permit the user, in accordance with said program logic, to perform a user interaction for controlling or suppressing an initiation of said program sequence; iv) said terminal being configured to execute said program sequence contained in said program logic and to cause said terminal to communicate, if necessary indirectly, a configuration message to said configuration server of said internet service provider; v) said configuration server being configured, after arrival of said configuration message, to determine an identity assigned to the user; vi) said internet service provider having a configuration database, said configuration server being configured to modify said configuration database based on an ascertained identity in accordance with said program sequence, to cause said internet service provider to subsequently process data relating to the user according to different criteria in accordance with said modified configuration database: said terminal being configured to store local identification data for identifying the user and, if appropriate, to store said internet service provider if the user does not instigate or refuses an execution of said program sequence, said terminal being configured to contact said server by using an alternative internet service provider using said local identification data, and at least one of said server, said connection server or said relay server being configured to identify said identity underlying the configuration based on said local identification data. 